Sycamore ready for Cinco de Mayo event

SYCAMORE – Jesus Romero welcomes the whole family to downtown Sycamore on Sunday for food and fun.

Romero’s 16th annual Cinco de Mayo festival will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Bill Johnson Boulevard behind Taxco Restaurant at 230 W. State Street in Sycamore. The festival will feature bands, dancing and plenty of pinatas for the children.

“We’re going to have a little bit for everybody,” he said.

The event was spearheaded by Romero in 1998 as a fundraising effort for his Relay for Life team.

What started out as a small affair turned into nearly 500 people in attendance. Romero said he ran out of food and couldn’t keep up.

“It was a big disaster,” he said. “I didn’t even know what I was doing.”

Despite the chaos, Romero managed to raise about $600. The event has continued to grow in size, participation and fundraising ever since.

Last year, Romero was able to donate $10,000 between the Conexion Comunidad and the Kishwaukee College Foundation for scholarships. Romero said he would be thrilled to raise that amount again this year.

With the final stages of preparation in place, Romero said he is counting on the weather to hold up for the festival, which will go on rain or shine.

“We never have canceled an event so far,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Admission to the event is free, but Romero said all proceeds from the food, beverage and activity sales will benefit the Kishwaukee College Foundation and the school’s culinary arts program.